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The True Value of Indie Pens

Gain a better understanding of what goes into making Indie pens, and what you're really getting when you buy one.

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Takeaways

  1. Indie Pens are a great deal
  2. Just because a pen isn't for you or isn't "worth it" to you doesn't mean it's not worth its price

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Caveats

  • Like mainstream brands, not all indie brands are created equal.
  • We are talking about small, respected brands where the maker is creating for their enjoyment of the craft.
    • We aren't referring to larger indie brands like Franklin-Christoph, etc.

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Price Justification - Mainstream

  • Manufacturing Costs
    • Employee salaries
    • Pen materials
    • Facilities
  • Marketing
  • Name & Reputation
    • Reputation = recognized skill and quality
    • Name = admission into the "club" of people who own that brand: "I own one, too!"

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Price Justification - Indie

  • Manufacturing Costs
    • Materials, facility, employee salary (sometimes)
  • Skill Development
    • Hand turning, sanding, and polishing or CNC programming/use [not easy, ask Mike Allen]
    • Years of practice and application
    • Specialized Skills
  • Fringe Benefits*
    • A labor of love. A piece of the maker's soul
    • Provenance (who made it and when, inspiration, etc.)*
    • Supporting an artist
    • Customized pen (wider range of materials, shapes, trims, etc.)^
      • Opportunity to start a relationship with the maker
      • Personal experience
    • Unique "nib holder"
      • Can use any range of customized Jowo or Bock nibs, or even your favorite nibs (Pelikan, Aurora, etc.)

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Survey Summary

Surveyed 15 penmakers

Average years as penmaker: 15� Min: 3 Max: 25

Part-time Makers: 8�Full-time Makers: 4

Number of skills used to make pens*: 6� Min: 3 Max: 10+

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Understanding Indie Pricing

  • It's hard
    • Needs to be high enough to sustain business & cover costs*
    • Needs to be low enough to sell
  • Most makers (not just pen makers) underprice their work
    • Prioritize selling over pricing fairly/accurately
  • Struggle between making what they want and what will sell

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Appreciate the Art and the Artistry

A pen doesn't have to be for you, but that means it's not worth it to you, not that it's not worth it at all.

Considering all the options available, and everything you get, Indie pens are a bargain!

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An indie pen is more than the price tag: it is a story that begins with making the pen and continues to evolve with you and all you create with it.